Exercise monitor and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An exercise monitor and method thereof having: a displacement sensor; a processing unit having a processor, clock, a memory storage device, and instructions for (1) computing a bounce rate using only displacement data and time data, (2) computing upper and lower displacement thresholds using only displacement data, and (3) for computing intensity using only bounce rate (beat frequency) and upper and. lower displacement thresholds. There is a display unit and a wireless connection to a handheld device on which computed information is displayed. Such automatically monitors workout intensity by receiving displacement data from a single displacement sensor and calculating upper and lower displacement thresholds to use to determine both heat frequency and intensity per beat via which intensity over a period may be displayed to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/039,692 to David Hall et. al. filed on Jun. 16, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates exercise monitors and methods thereof, specifically to exercise intensity monitors.

Description of the Related Art

Physical exercise provides people with access to greater physical and mental health. Various types of exercise produce different kinds of results and benefits. Often, the benefits are commensurate with the amount and/or intensity of the exercise. However, self-monitoring of intensity and/or amount of exercise may be problematic. Accordingly, people who exercise will generally use some system, method, or device to monitor the amount/intensity of their exercise.

A simple manner to do this for a traveling exercise like, jogging, swimming, walking, hiking, etc. is to travel for a predetermined time/distance and then to measure the time/distance that is not predetermined (e.g. measure how fast you travel a mile or see how far you travel in 20 minutes). This can help you to understand the amount/intensity of your exercise. The faster you travel a particular distance or the further you travel in a particular time, the more intense the exercise. You can then use this measurement of intensity to compare different exercise events and/or to track capability progress over a set of exercise events.

However, there are many exercises that are not traveling exercise, such as but not limited to weightlifting, elastic bands, jump rope, trampoline/rebounder jumping, etc. These kinds of exercise are not easily measured like the traveling exercises. Generally, people ill resort to keeping track mentally of how intense their workout is, but this is unreliable and requires that the person split their focus between the exercise itself and the tracking thereof. Accordingly, there are devices that measure repetitions of exercise actions to help keep track of how many repetitions a user has done, which helps the user focus on the exercise itself without having to keep track of a “count.”

Further, devices, systems, and methods have been utilized to help track exercise, including but not limited to ones using both accelerometers and velocity sensors together to analyze motion, attaching sensors to people and using detected inertial motion to analyze activity, comparing detected movement data with a library of “correct” movement data for repetitive motion and generating feedback information based on the comparison, utilizing sensors resident in smartphones and other similar handheld electronic devices to analyze and detect motion, and integrating measured deflection data of an exercise device into a game to provide feedback of operation of the device. Examples of references related to the present invention are listed below, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,028,547; 7450,002; 7,653,508; 8,585,558; 9,700,748; 9,752,891; 9,775,520; 9,808,185; 10,185,416; 10,210,202; 10,335,637; 10,488,936: and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,8116; Ser. No. 11/625,739; Ser. No. 12/205,399; Ser. No. 13,431,707; Ser. No. 13/827,683; Ser. No. 14/654,654; Ser. No. 14/859,192; Ser. No. 15/356,392; and Ser. No. 15/337,531.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages. These disadvantages include but are not limited to being difficult and nonintuitive to use, not providing immediate information to the user or third party, requiring a login or account to use or get reliable information, requiring personalized setup such as user weight, not allowing for immediate demonstration and measurement of use, not providing or analyzing dynamic deflection measurements, not being capable of automatically configuring to different people without user input, requiring multiple sensors, failing to provide accurate timely intensity measurements in real-time, being expensive requiring registration in relation to a user instead of in relation to a device and therefore not functioning properly when used by a different user, and providing less information to the user or third party combined with increased setup to properly use.

What is needed is a device and/or method that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the an upon becoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available exercise monitors and methods of monitoring thereof. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an exercise monitor and method thereof.

There may be an exercise monitor that may include one or more of: a displacement sensor that may be coupled to a mat coupling system that may be configured to functionally couple the displacement sensor to a mat of a trampoline; a processing unit that may be in communication with the sensor and/or including: a processor; a clock that may be functionally coupled to the processor; a memory storage device that may be in communication with the processor; instructions for computing a bounce rate using only displacement data and time data; instructions for computing upper and lower displacement thresholds using only displacement data; and/or instructions for computing intensity using only bounce rate and upper anti lower displacement thresholds.

There may also be a display unit that may be functionally coupled to the processing unit. There may be instructions for computing calories burned using only bounce rate and intensity.

It may be that the sensor is functionally coupled to a handheld device through wireless telemetry. It may be that the processing unit further includes a user input device. It may be that the displacement sensor is an accelerometer.

In another non-limiting embodiment, there may be a method for automatically monitoring workout intensity, comprising one or more of the steps of: receiving, e.g. over an input port, displacement data which may be from a single displacement sensor over a first period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, e.g. using a processor, upper and/or lower displacement thresholds which may be based on received displacement data from the first period; receiving, e.g. over an input port, displacement data which may be from the displacement sensor over a second period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, e.g. using a processor, a bounce rate which may be by comparing actual displacement during the second period with the upper and lower displacement thresholds and clock data from a hardware clock; and/or calculating, e.g. using a processor, intensity of the second period which may be by determining an intensity per action cycle from the upper and lower displacement thresholds and/or multiplying by the bounce rate of the second period.

The method may include a step of calculating, e.g. using a processor, calories burned which may be based on the calculated bounce rate and intensity. The method may include a step of determining, e.g. using a processor, whether the displacement is more than the lower displacement threshold. The method may include a step of displaying, via a display unit, one of the calculated values. The method may include a step of step of incrementing a counter/timer. The method may include a step of resetting the upper and lower displacement thresholds.

It may be that the upper and lower displacement threshold values are calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received displacement value. It may be that the intensity value is calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received upper and lower displacement thresholds and bounce rate.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a rebounder having an activity monitoring device functionally coupled thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an activity monitoring device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a component diagram of an activity monitoring device in operational position, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing communication flow from the sensor unit through to the display unit, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 5-7 are a flowchart showing operation of a main loop program run by the analysis unit of the activity monitoring device, according to one embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention. should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a rebounder 100 having an activity monitoring device (exercise monitor) 102 functionally coupled thereto, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a rebounder having legs 114, springs 104, a mat 112, and an activity monitoring device coupled thereto at two points, wherein a sensor unit (displacement sensor) 108 is coupled to the mat of the rebounder (e.g. via a mat coupling system) and a combined analysis and display unit (terminal) 106 is coupled to a nearby leg of the rebounder. Accordingly, the illustrated activity monitoring device is installed, as shown, and ready to use. Thereby, a user may bounce on the rebounder and receive valuable feedback regarding their chosen rebounder activities.

The illustrated device includes a single mounting bracket 110 for coupling to a leg of the rebounder. The mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to an arm that protrudes therefrom and is coupled at a far end thereof to the combined display and analysis unit of the activity monitoring device. The attachment of the mounting bracket and combined display and analysis unit is configured to alloy the combined display and analysis unit to face the user of the rebounder in such a way that the user can see it while using the rebounder. Alternatively. it may include a plurality of mounting brackets as appropriate to securely couple one or more components of the activity monitoring device to the trampoline or rebounder as desired and/or be configured to face in another direction and/or adjustable to any direction, such as but not limited to allowing a third party to view the combined display and analysis unit. Further alternatively, an activity monitoring device may be freestanding and/or otherwise not include a mounting bracket.

The illustrated cable is attached at one end to the combined display and analysis unit, and at the other end to the sensor unit. The cable is run on the underside of the rebounder as to not interfere with the user trying to use the rebounder, and away from any moving parts that may catch or damage the cable. The cable functionally couples the sensor unit to the combined display and analysis unit and allows for communication therebetween. In an alternative embodiment, such communication is effected wirelessly and in such a case, the sensor unit would generally need its own power supply.

The illustrated sensor unit is affixed to the side of the mat, so it collects data from the use of the rebounder as well as not interfering with the user trying to use the rebounder. The sensor unit may be coupled to the mat via a variety of coupling structures (mat coupling systems) such as but not limited to brackets, stitching, adhesive, friction fit into a pocket in the mat, clips, snaps, and the like and combinations thereof. Exact placement of the sensor depends on the nature and operation of the sensor. As such, there may be sensors that are more appropriately placed in locations different from the illustrated embodiment, such as but not limited to being placed near a middle region of the mat, on a spring of the rebounder, and/or being placed on a top-side of the mat. Such may also depend on the exact nature of the sensor unit, such as but not limited to the type of sensor. Generally, such a sensor will measure displacement and/or measure some characteristic via which displacement may be derived, such as but not limited to acceleration. Sensors may include strain gauges, accelerometers, force meters, angle gauges, velocity meters, and the like and combinations thereof.

Advantageously, the illustrated activity monitoring device may be easily attached and/or removed by a user from the rebounder which allows for simplicity of use and is compact which allows for easy storage and transport. Such also allows for aftermarket coupling of such a sensor to an existing exercise device. It also may be solely attached to the rebounder which allows a user to move the rebounder or to travel with the rebounder or other object without needing to detach the unit from the rebounder or object first. In another embodiment, the activity monitoring device may be integrated into the rebounder and not removable.

While the illustrated exercise device is a rebounder, it is contemplated that the exercise device may be a set of exercise bands, weights, a jump rope, running shorts, or some other exercise device/accessory wherein displacement may be a useful measurement of exercise intensity.

According to one non-limiting embodiment, there may be an exercise monitor that may include one or more of: a displacement sensor (e.g. angle gauge, accelerometer, strain gauge, velocity sensor) that may be coupled to a mat/exercise device/accessory coupling system (e.g. adhesive, snap, clip, bracket, frictional housing that mates with a pocket in the mat/device accessory) that may be configured to functionally couple the displacement sensor to a mat of a trampoline or other device/accessory related to the intended exercise; a processing unit that may be in communication with the sensor and/or including: a processor; a clock that may be functionally coupled to the processor; a memory storage device that may be in communication with the processor; and one or more sets of instructions for determining intensity characteristics of a desired exercise.

Such instructions may include one or more of instructions for computing a bounce rate using only displacement data and time data (e.g., storing a display range in a memory storage device and then incrementing a bounce counter each time displacement approximately equal to or greater than the stored displacement range occurs and then dividing the number of bounces by a time period as measured by a clock during which the bounce counter was incremented); instructions for computing upper and lower displacement thresholds using only displacement data (tracking a set of maximum and minimum displacement amounts over a period of time and then calculating an average of the maximum and an average of the minimum by dividing those values by the number of occurrences); and/or instructions for computing intensity using only bounce rate and upper and lower displacement thresholds (adding an intensity value of each min/max cycle together over a period of time, which may be determined from a table of intensity values by difference between max and min values; determining an intensity value for a particular average max/min displacement and then multiplying that by a bounce rate and a time period).

There may also be a display unit that may be functionally coupled to the processing unit. There may be instructions for computing calories burned using only bounce rate and intensity, thus requiring only a single sensor and single clock without requiring that the user input any information about their weight into the system.

As used herein, “instructions” are hardware and/or software instructions for computing devices to perform particular operations and do not refer to human instructions for humans to perform operations. The instructions herein may include one or more integrated circuit elements that may be functionally coupled to each other to perform operations on analog and/or digital signals, such as those received from a sensor. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the types of circuits and/or computing scripts/programs/applications/functions/objects and the like that may be utilized together to form the instructions are plethoric. Such hardware/software components may include but are not limited to adders, dividers, multipliers, incrementors, shift registers, state machines, logical operators (e.g. AND, OR XOR, NAND), gates, and transistors.

It may be that the sensor includes wireless telemetry (e.g. may be functionally coupled to another device such as but not limited to a handheld device or a device coupled to a leg of a rebounder). It may be that the processing unit further includes a user input device. It may be that the displacement sensor is an accelerometer.

Advantageously, the devices/methods described herein allow for a far more accurate intensity measurement that may be updated in real-time according to a desired update frequency while using only a single sensor associated with the device and not requiring a separate counting switch to count repetitions. This results in a very simple, cost effective solution to exercise monitoring that is less prone to damage, fault, being broken, failure during manufacturing, failure to properly install, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the activity monitoring device of FIG. 1, according, to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a combined display and analysis unit 200 functionally coupled via cable 202 to a sensor unit 204 and structurally coupled to a mounting bracket 206 via an arm 220. Accordingly, the activity monitoring device may monitor activity and display relevant information related thereto to a user of the device.

The illustrated combined display and analysis unit includes, within the illustrated housing 208, sufficient electrical components to display and process information from the sensor unit. Such components may include but are not limited to circuit boards, microcontrollers, memory storage devices, processors, busses, power supplies, LED lights, displays, and/or wireless cards. The housing may also contain one or more compartments to insert batteries to power the unit thereby providing power without connection to remote power source (e.g. wall power socket). The combined display and analysis unit may include a screen 210 to display information to the user as well, which may include LED lights, and/or one or more control buttons 212 to allow users to manipulate the display and/or issue commands to the system (e.g. navigating through menu options, display configurations, and/or adjusting settings). The buttons may be used to cycle through menus and select or change information, turn the activity monitoring device on and off, and may be combined with the LED lights so the user may operate the activity monitoring device in low light conditions.

In an alternative embodiment, the analysis unit may be in a different housings) from the display unit. In such a case, there may be multiple terminals. In such a case, the analysis may be all performed at the sensor unit, wherein microelectronics allows for the analysis to occur within the sensor housing. In any of such embodiments, whether combined or not, the display unit itself may contain an integral display with the activity monitoring device, CRT/LCD/LED display, array of LEDs, VR display, augmented reality display, network casting to a remote third party display, multiple simultaneous displays, data sent over a network to an application that displays over the cell phone which may be integrated into a game on the application, or possibly even no display unit but a wired or wireless connection to a third-party display.

While the illustrated embodiment has integrated analysis and display units in a single housing, other embodiments may have the analysis unit inside and/or integrated with the sensor unit, within the cable housing, distributed across multiple components, and/or have the analysis done inside an application on a remote device, such as a cell phone, tablet, computer, or a smart device.

The illustrated cable is attached to the housing. The cable connects to the sensor unit. The cable is a conduit for transmitting information to and from the analysis unit and/or power to the sensor unit.

The sensor unit may include an accelerometer 214, a clip 218, and/or an enclosure 216. The enclosure may be attached to the clip or may include the clip as part of the enclosure. The enclosure may contain a wireless card, Bluetooth chip, batteries, and/or a power source of its own in order to allow the sensor unit to communicate with the analysis unit without the need for a cable connection.

The clip is configured to attach to a surface in a way to allow the accelerometer to collect relevant data, such as clipped to the mat of a trampoline or rebounder. The accelerometer may be connected or contained by the enclosure or clip and is connected to the cable if that embodiment is used, otherwise it is connected to the wireless card, Bluetooth chip, and/or batteries. The clip may include and/or may be replaced by other coupling structures, such as but not limited to adhesives, stitching, rivets, snaps, hook-and-loop couplings, and the like and combinations thereof.

Additional embodiments of the sensor unit may contain multiple sensors, multiple sensor locations, and/or the sensor or sensors may be mapped to particular mat locations to assist in accuracy or more complex calculations. Also, with or instead of an accelerometer, the sensor unit may contain other deflection and/or strain sensors that are not accelerometers, such as but not limited to flex sensors, tilt sensors, inclinometers, and the like and combinations thereof.

The illustrated mounting bracket is connected to the housing to allow the activity monitoring device to be connected to an object, such as the legs of a trampoline or rebounder. The mounting bracket is configured to allow the housing to move such that when in use, the screen on the display unit may be moved to face the user or third-party. The illustrated mounting bracket includes an arm to help position the display unit away from the object and a clamp to assist with securing the activity monitoring device to the object. The arm connects the clamp to the housing and may be configured to allow the arm to rotate or pivot relative to the clamp, giving additional mobility to position the screen where the user or third-party desires it. The clamp includes two mating plates with a circular hole disposed between through which the leg of the rebounder/etc. is disposed. The illustrate clamp also includes a threaded adjuster to adjust the clamping force between the mating plates.

FIG. 3 is a component diagram of an activity monitoring device 300 in operational position and functionally coupled to a single sensor 302 that is functionally coupled to a rebounder mat (or other exercise device/accessory), according to one embodiment of the invention. There is an on/off Button connected to a header, the on/off Button activating an NPN transistor. The NPN transistor activates a PEET. The PEET, when activated, turns on power to a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator provides power to the rest of the circuits including a microcontroller.

After power up, the microcontroller activates the NPN transistor thereby latching the power on. When the power is on, if the on/off Button is pressed, a signal goes to the microcontroller and the microcontroller then deactivates the NPN transistor. The deactivated NPN transistor deactivates the PFET thereby turning off the power to the Microcontroller and other circuitry. The power regulation and on/off circuitry are connected to a battery and/or a wall transformer and may get power from either the 9V battery or the wall transformer power supply.

Connected to the microcontroller is a programming port. The programming port is used to program the microcontroller with the firmware that enables the microcontroller to perform the desired functions and calculate information for the user such as intensity, caloric burn, and other outputs.

The microcontroller is also connected to and controls a liquid crystal display or LCD. The Rebound Monitor shows on the LCD the elapsed workout time, the total number of bounces, the estimated calories burned during the workout and the current intensity of the exercise being performed.

The microcontroller additionally is connected to a keypad. The keypad allows for user input. The microcontroller is also connected to a serial communication port. The serial communication port may optionally connect to a computer for collecting and logging data from the activity monitoring device. Microcontroller is also connected to a buzzer which gives audio feedback when a button on the Keypad is pressed or when the on/off button is pressed. Microcontroller may also be connected to the sensor unit and transmit and/or receive information from the sensor unit or just the accelerometer. The sensor unit attaches to the edge of the mat of the trampoline or rebounder and indicates the angle of deflection of the mat as well as possibly sensing a rate of deflection.

There may be a communication device (e.g. transponder, wireless transmitter, Bluetooth, Wifi) that may communicate information from the microcontroller to a remote device, such as but not limited to a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, and the like which may allow for further tracking, data storage, data visualization, and the like via one or more applications resident on the remote device. Accordingly, a user may be able to record, track, etc. information from the microcontroller and/or deflection sensor. Such may be then functionally coupled to an account of a user of the remote device for long-term tracking and/or further analysis.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing communication flow from the sensor unit 400 through an analysis unit 402 to the display unit 404, according to one embodiment of the invention. The sensor unit is coupled to the analysis unit and may send and/or receive information from the analysis unit. The analysis unit is coupled to both the sensor at display units and may send and/or receive information from both the sensor and display units.

The display unit is coupled to the analysis unit and may send and/or receive information from the analysis unit. In the preferred embodiment, the display unit and analysis unit are combined within the housing, however not all embodiments will have the units together. In some embodiments, the display unit and analysis unit may be separate, and the sensor unit may also be coupled to the display unit and may communicate directly with the display unit and vice-versa.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor unit gathers information from the user's activity and sends it to the analysis unit, which processes it and sends it to the display unit, which displays it and by doing so relays it back to the user.

The sensor unit first is initialized when the activity monitoring device is turned on or the user initializes the sensor unit. After initialization, the sensor unit begins gathering information from the user's activity, such as the deflection angle, the times when the mat is deflected, and/or the intensity of the sensor unit movement. The sensor unit continues monitoring while simultaneously feeding the gathered information to the analysis unit. The sensor unit keeps monitoring until the activity monitoring device is turned off or the user turns off the sensor unit.

FIGS. 5-7 are a flowchart showing operation of a main loop program run by the analysis unit of the activity monitoring device, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the analysis unit begins running when the display unit is turned on 502 by pressing the on/off button. The analysis unit first initializes 504 the inputs and outputs of the microcontroller and then turns on the output that latches the power on. Next the introduction is displayed 506 on the display unit for approximately two seconds 508 and then the timers are set 510, 512. The analysis unit then powered on 516 and runs through the main loop program 514, which it does about 30 times per second.

The main loop continues running until the on/off button is pressed 546, at which time the analysis unit detects this and turns off the output of the microcontroller that latches the unit on and the unit safely powers down 548, thus ending 550 operation of the device.

In this embodiment, the main loop program checks 520 the one second timer each time around and if it has expired it resets the timer and then increments 556 the seconds. If sixty seconds have passed 558, it also increments 560 the minutes. Next it computes the bounce rate 562 by dividing the recent bounce count by the time passed. Next it computes the low and high thresholds 564 by first adding the maximum angle and the minimum angle and then multiplying by a constant (e.g. 0.57) to get the point slightly above the midpoint and then adding a constant (e.g. 5) to get the high threshold and subtracting a constant e.g. 5) to get the low threshold.

Next the firmware computes the intensity 566 by subtracting the minimum angle from the maximum angle and multiplying that value by the bounce rate and then dividing that value by a constant (e.g. 150). Then the analysis unit updates the estimated calories burned 568 which is a function of the recent counts and the intensity. Because the unit measures and computes intensity and bounce rate it can estimate the calories burned without the user having to enter his or her weight. This makes the activity monitoring device easier and faster to use. than other activity monitors on the market.

After resetting the max and min 570, the system continues 526 in the main loop, the analysis unit reads 524 the angle of the displacement of the mat by reading the sensor unit multiple times and taking an average. Next it updates 528 the minimum and maximum values of the angle displacement. The analysis unit uses a flag 530, 534, 540 to determine Shen the angular displacement of the mat has crossed the low threshold 532, 538 and then the high threshold. When it crosses the high threshold, after crossing the low threshold, it increments the bounce counter 542 and then increments the recent bounce count and measures the time passed 544 by reading the bounce timer.

Before completing the main loop, the analysis unit displays 536 on the LCD the minutes and seconds that have passed since beginning the workout. It also displays the bounce count, the estimated calories burned, and shows a bar graph of the intensity, however other graph types are contemplated.

Advantageously, this allows any user to use the device without needing to set up a profile or input sensitive information, such as weight, in order to use the device. Additionally, it significantly decreases setup time and allows a user more time to exercise and obtain faster results.

Constants used in the operation of the method to perform calculations may be predetermined according to the exercise device/accessory to which the deflection sensor is coupled. As a non-limiting example, there may be an array of constants that may be stored within the device/system and on registration of the device/system with a particular exercise device/accessory that may determine which constants are used in the calculation of intensity. Such values may vary wildly depending on the physical interpretation of the deflection itself, as minor deflections in a particular brand of rebounder that utilizes a very tight spring system with a tightly woven mat may reflect a much higher intensity than the same deflection amounts in a rebounder that has a more loose spring system and/or more elastic mat, which may be very different from an exercise device/accessory that is not even a rebounder at all and therefore may include deflection ranges that are far larger/smaller than those of any rebounder (e.g. the deflection of a weighted jump rope as measured in spring elongation in the handle is likely to be tiny compared to deflection of a mat of a rebounder).

Accordingly, there may be a step of registering the device/system to a particular exercise device/accessory which then triggers which constants to use within the calculations to determine intensity. Such constants may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art according to desired modes of displaying intensity which may be influenced by the particular units of intensity that are desired, whether such intensity is determined to be measured in absolute terms (e.g. related to physics measurements such as but not limited to Force over distance, or Work calculations) or whether they are more relative measurements that are not directly tied to traditional scientific measurements but still allow for meaningful comparisons between exercise events.

Further, the update frequency (i.e. how soon/often the upper and lower thresholds are reset/recalculated) may be a constant that is determined by the device registration. Such may also be fluidly determined based on a time-out counter that watches for changes in bounce/count frequencies, as a user changing a style of bounce/action may result in significantly different upper and lower thresholds and thereby mean a significantly different intensity to be measured/displayed. Such a system may trigger a reset/recalculation of upper/lower thresholds when a beat frequency of the bounce/action changes by a particular percentage (e.g. 10%, 15%. 20%, 25%) or by some other value of measurement that is predetermined.

In another non-limiting embodiment, there may be a method for automatically monitoring workout intensity, comprising one or more of the steps of: receiving, e.g. over an input port, displacement data which may be from a single displacement sensor over a first period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, e.g. using a processor, upper and/or lower displacement thresholds which may be based on received displacement data from the first period; receiving e.g. over an input port, displacement data which may be from the displacement sensor over a second period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, e.g. using a processor, a bounce rate which may be by comparing actual displacement during the second period with the upper and lower displacement thresholds and clock data from a hardware clock; and/or calculating, e.g. using a processor, intensity of the second period which may be by determining an intensity per action cycle (e.g. an action cycle for a rebounder may be the cycle of a human body descending down from a rest point to a bottom point on the rebounder mat, traveling upward to a top point and then returning to the rest location of the mat, wherein the bottom point may be an upper threshold and a top point may be a lower threshold, or the opposite, and the location where the mat is deflected an amount when the user is not bouncing at all but resting on the mat may be the rest location) from the upper and lower displacement thresholds and/or multiplying by the bounce rate of the second period.

The method may include a step of calculating, e.g. using a processor, calories burned which may be based on the calculated bounce rate and intensity. The method may include a step of determining, e.g. using a processor, whether the displacement is more than the lower displacement threshold. The method may include a step of displaying, via a display unit, one of the calculated values. The method may include a step of step of incrementing a counter/timer. The method may include a step of resetting the upper and lower displacement thresholds.

It may be that the upper and lower displacement threshold values are calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received displacement value. It may be that the intensity value is calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received upper and lower displacement thresholds and bounce rate.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. an exercise monitor comprising: a displacement sensor coupled to a mat coupling system configured to functionally couple the displacement sensor to a mat of a trampoline a processing unit in communication with the sensor and including: a processor; a clock functionally coupled to the processor; a memory storage device in communication with the processor; instructions for computing a bounce rate using only displacement data and time data; instructions for computing upper and lower displacement thresholds Using only displacement data; and instructions for computing intensity using only bounce rate and upper and tower displacement thresholds.
 2. The exercise monitor of claim 1, further including a display unit functionally coupled to the processing unit.
 3. The exercise monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is functionally coupled to a handheld device through wireless telemetry.
 4. The exercise monitor of claim 1, further including instructions for computing calories burned using only bounce rate and intensity.
 5. The exercise monitor of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further includes a user input device.
 6. The exercise monitor of claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is an accelerometer.
 7. A method for automatically monitoring workout intensity, comprising the steps of: receiving, over an input port, displacement data from a single displacement sensor over a first period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, using a processor, upper and lower displacement thresholds based on received displacement data from the first period; receiving, over an input port, displacement data from the displacement sensor over a second period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, using a processor, a bounce rate by comparing actual displacement during the second period with the upper and lower displacement thresholds and clock data from a hardware clock; and calculating, using a processor, intensity of the second period by determining, an intensity per action cycle from the upper and lower displacement thresholds and multiplying by the bounce rate of the second period.
 8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of calculating, using a processor, calories burned based on the calculated bounce rate and intensity.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the upper and lower displacement threshold values are calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received displacement value.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the intensity value is calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received upper and lower displacement thresholds and bounce rate.
 11. The method of claim 7, further including the step of determining, using a processor, whether the displacement is more than the lower displacement threshold.
 12. The method of claim 7, further including the step of displaying, via a display unit, one of the calculated values.
 13. The method of claim 7, further including the step of incrementing a counter.
 14. a method for automatically monitoring workout intensity, comprising the steps of: receiving, over an input port, displacement data from a single displacement sensor over a first period of multiple exercise action cycles; calculating, using, a processor, upper and lower displacement thresholds based on received displacement data from the first period; receiving; over an input port, displacement data from the displacement sensor over a second period of multiple exercise action cycles; determining, using a processor, whether the displacement is more than the lower displacement threshold and incrementing a counter if the displacement value is more than the lower displacement threshold; calculating, using a processor, a bounce rate by comparing actual displacement during the second period with the upper and lower displacement thresholds and clock data from a hardware clock; and calculating, using a processor, intensity of the second period by determining an intensity per action cycle from the upper and lower displacement thresholds and multiplying by the bounce rate of the second period.
 15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of calculating, using a processor, calories burned based on the calculated bounce rate and intensity.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of incrementing a timer.
 17. The method of claim
 16. further including the step of displaying, via a display unit, one of the calculated values.
 18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of resetting the upper and lower displacement thresholds.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the upper and lower displacement threshold values are calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received displacement value.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the intensity value is calculated using a predetermined constant value in conjunction with the received upper and lower displacement thresholds and bounce rate. 